SOVIET ADVOCACY AND THE u.S. MEDIA A Report of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy TO THE CONGRESS AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

In accordance with Section 8, Reorganization Plan No.2 of 1977 and Public Law 96-60, the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy submits herewith a report on Soviet Advocacy and the U.S. Media.

Respectfully submitted, :tiJ4rf Edwin J. Feulner, jr., Chairman President, The Heritage Foundation Virginia (R)

e. robert (bob) wallach Tom C. Korologos Vice Chairman President Lawyer-Counselor Timmons and Company, Inc. Dean, Hastings Law School Virginia (R) Center for Trial and Appellate Advocacy California (D)

\d~ \'(\~

Priscilla L. Buckley Richard M. Scaife Senior Editor Publisher, The Tribune Review National Review Publishing Co. New York (R) Pennsylvania (R)

/~~~ Hershey Gold Herbert Schmertz Chairman of the Board Vice President, Public Affairs Super Yarn Mart Mobil Oil Corporation California (D) New York (D) TABLE OF CONTENTS

Transmittal Letter 1 Message from the Chairman 3 Summary of Recommendations 4 Introduction 5 Soviet Journalists and Officials as Advocates 5 The Nature of Soviet Journalism and lnformation 6 Soviet Journalists in the u.S ,; 8 u.S. Journalists in the USSR 9 Voice of America (VOA) Reporters in the USSR 10

Appendix A: CSeE Final Act, 1975 (Excerpts) 12

Appendix B: Table 1: Total Significant U.S.-Soviet Official Appearances in Opposite-Country Print Media 13 Table 2: Survey of Significant Soviet Official Appearances on U.S. Networks, 1983-85 14 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN emocracies are built on the principle of the free flow of information, and we have come to enjoy the benefits D generated: the free exchange of ideas, technological achievement, full enfranchisement of the citizenry, and intellectual excellence, to name just a few. Yet we are confronted on a daily basis by an antithetical philosophy, promoted by the Soviet Union, which uses information as a controllable and malleable tool. Besides restricting the access of their own citizens to the full range of information and opinion, the Soviets exploit the openness of our system to promote their global agenda. The United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy supports openness and full freedom of information as a fundamental component of democracy. At the same time, we do not believe that the present asymmetry in the exchange of information between the U.S. and the Soviet Union should be accepted by this country. Just as we should permit Vladimir Pozner, properly identified as a spokesman of the Soviet Government, to speak to the American people, the United States in turn should be permitted to bring its perspectives to the Soviet people on a regular and continuing basis. With few exceptions, that is not happening. We must pursue reciprocal access. Americans must be more fully aware of the degree to which Soviet official spokesmen, many of them ostensibly "journalists," are able to expound their policies to our media and our public as though they were personal opinions. Although some of our recommendations relate to the U.S. news media and journalists' organizations, it is not our intention to undercut the fine reporting of Soviet-American issues that they accomplish under difficult circumstances, with limited resources, and under tight deadlines. It is simply to offer the Commission's long-range perspective on this critical issue. Commissioner Priscilla Buckley and Deputy Staff Director Michael Morgan have prepared the following report, which gives timely focus to this issue. We appreciate the insights of officials of the U.S. Information Agency's Office of Research, Programs Bureau, the Foreign Press Center, the Office of European Affairs and the Voice of America. Theirviews have been invaluable in shaping the Commission's findings. Our recommendations are normally presented in annual reports to the Congress and to the President. The Commission's enabling legislation, however, provides that it also submit "such other reports to the Congress as it deems appropriate." The challenge of intensified Soviet use of public diplomacy warrants our doing so at this time. :£j~vI- Edwin J. Feulner, Jr. Chairman

October 1986

3 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ------U.S•.SOVIET MEDIA RECIPROCITY ------

(I) The United States, in concert with (3) The U.S. Embassy in Moscow, the increasing access of U.S. other signatory nations, should State Department. and USIA should be spokesmen, journalists and media continue to press the Soviet Union to receptive to U.s. journalists' products to the Soviet people. The honor Article 19 of the United Nations complaints about the numbers. ease U.S. also should examine new Universal Declaration of Human of entry. and treatment of U.S. feasible, forceful reciprocal action Rights, which states: journalists in the USSRand overall against continued Soviet "Everyone has the right to freedom Soviet compliance with the relevant intransigence on the free flow of of opinion and expression; this right sections of the CSCEFinal Act so that information. includes freedom to hold opinions when deemed advisable and without interference and to seek, receive, productive, appropriate actions can (6) The United States should pursue and impart information and ideas be taken with the Soviet as a higher priority more frequent through any media and regardless of " Government. entry by VOA reporters into the . Soviet Union and the opening of a VOA frontiers. " (4) At the next U.S.-Soviet summit. bureau in Moscow. Soviet visa (2) The United States and the and in the next round of educational refusals should merit appropriate U.S. Western European signatories should and cultural exchanges negotiations. responses, such as reciprocal continue to press the USSR to abide the United States should press for treatment of Radio Moscow by its treaty commitment made in the access to the Soviet media for official correspondents in the United States. 1975 Final Act of the Conference on U.S. spokesmen. both through a Security and Cooperation in Europe general agreement for binational (7) So long as the normal avenues of (Helsinki Accords) to: exchanges of such appearances, and communication with the Soviet "...facilitate the freer and wider through greater openness to case- people remain obstructed, the dissemination of information of all by-case proposals. United States should maximize other kinds. to encourage cooperation in the available opportunities such as field of information and the exchange of (5) At the next summit. the President cultural exchanges, exhibits, and information with other countries, and should suggest the creation of a "joint continued intensive radio to improve the conditions under which U.S.-Soviet Task Force on Media broadcasting through the Voice of journalists from one participating Reciprocity" to examine means of America and Radio Liberty. The State exercise their profession in United States should continue to place another participating State." pressure on the USSR to end jamming of U.S. and Western radio broadcasts.

ENHANCING U.S.·SOVIET MEDIA COVERAGE

(8) U.S. news organizations and (11) U.S. networks that frequently (13) Private organizations such as television networks operating in host and interview Soviet journalists the World Press Freedom Committee Moscow should continue to push should make available to Soviet should undertake workshops aggressively in concert for greater officials, if asked, a list of American conducted by U.S. journalists for access to Soviet society and sources. correspondents who are fluent in Soviet correspondents resident in or Russian and who could serve as covering the U.S. to explain the (9) Soviet spokesmen and journalists commentators on American affairs complexities of U.S. polities, appearing on U.S. radio and television and Soviet-American relations for economics, foreign policy, society and should be identified as spokesmen Soviet media. culture, in the hopes this would yield or as employees of the Soviet more accurate, objective and Government, and if known, their (12) In light of the accessibility of balanced reporting on the U.S. for membership and position in the U.S. media to official Soviet Soviet audiences and readers. Soviet Communist Party mentioned. spokesmen. and their increasing use Their arguments. misstatements, of it to propound their views, the U.s. (14) U.S. journalists' organizations evasions, and omissions should be Government should make grants to such as the Standing Committee of challenged and refuted. private sector organizations for Correspondents of the Congress seminars on Soviet information should be aware that when they (10) The United States should give to strategy, the nature, role and discriminate against Voice of Soviet Government radio, television, objectives of the Soviet journalist, America, USIA-TV, or USIA Wireless and print media authorities a list of and related subjects. File reporters for being U.S. American officials who are fluent in Government employees, this gives Russian and available to articulate credibility to hypocritical Soviet American policies for Soviet media Government discrimination against these reporters as well. audiences. 4 the Commission finds it imperative commentator Vladimir Pozner and that a more balanced U.S.-Soviet Aleksandr Palladin of Izvestia. Mr. INTRODUCTION information relationship be achieved Palladin dresses in "preppy" fashion as soon as possible. and has a boyish charm; Mr. Pozner then year since Mikhail The indictment in Moscow of grew up in Brooklyn and speaks Gorbachev came to power, it has U.S. reporter Nicholas Daniloff has English like a native American. As Ibecome apparent that the Soviet been a sobering reminder of the Charles Lichtenstein, former Deputy Union is using public diplomacy as vulnerability of Western correspond- U.S. Representative to the United never before. The Soviets have ents to the power of the Soviet state. Nations, has said: demonstrated a new sophistication in Mr. Daniloff's arrest is graphic "There is no question the Soviets are the way they deal with the Western evidence of the difference between waking up to the fact they can take media. The counterproductive tactics U.S.and Soviet concepts of journalism. advantage of the Western media. They of the past-stonewalling, denial of The Commission abhors this affront are more and more sophisticated in undeniable fact, crude distortion of to the norms of civilized behavior. using the media. Five years ago, I don't truth, and use of inept spokesmen- We hope that this report will remember seeing a Soviet spokesman on have in part given way to Western- better inform American reporters, U.S. television, but now there are four style massaging of the media, elected officials and private citizens or five on regularly. They are highly skillful advocacy, and a new corps of about Soviet objectives, and conversant with the West, they speak Soviet spokesmen. They may be urtderscore the need to continue virtually flawless English, use anecdotes called "diplomats," "journalists" or pressing the Soviet Union to honor its and analysis with just a bit of self- "concerned physicians," but they are Helsinki commitments. . criticism to make themselves credible. all increasingly wise in the ways of TheCommission fully understands It's all done with an extraordinary American television. media concerns about U.S. govern- amount of skill. I'mjust astonished it

Why has this happened? It is the mental interference. And nothing in took them so long. " I result of new Soviet leadership. this report should be read as seeking Charles William Maynes, Editor of Additionally, the Soviet Union is no to undermine the role of a free and Foreign Policy magazine, recently longer an "information island." Its independent press in American stated: frontiers are ever more porous- society, and the guarantees of the "When I served in the U.S. Embassy in whether from VOA or Radio Liberty First Amendment to the Constitution. Moscow in the late 1960s, the Soviets broadcasts, clandestine video- We wish only to suggest ways the would never expose themselves to the cassettes, broader access to U.S.Government, U.S.journalists, and unpredictability of television. They computer data, or samizdat reporting the American people might address would use it and exploit it, but they of suppressed news. The Soviets also the growing and one-sided presence would not take risks. Now they are taking have been forced to become more of official Soviet spokesmen in the risks. The change is due to a new competent in the information field American media. generation of Soviet diplomats. Many of because the United States has put them are very sophisticated. They increasing emphasis on information understand that if the Soviet Union and public diplomacy. Moreover, wants to make headway in the world, Soviet signing of the Helsinki SOVIET .IOURNALISTS they have to use the media. Compared to Accords in 1975put them on record as AN 0 0f'FI CIALS AS 1965, they've come many light years." 2 favoring the free flow of information, According to some USIA officials, and obliges them to respond to ADVOCATES the arrival of these commentators in Western criticism of their failure to the West should be seen as part of a adhere to the Accords. And finally, as bservant Americans are larger Soviet strategy to promote the this Commission noted in its 1986 now aware that some Soviet "perception of equivalence" between Report to the President, .....there is Ojournalists, particularly the USSRand the United States. hardly a police state left that can those assigned to the U.S., and other Articulate representatives of the USSR ignore foreign public opinion ...Put Soviet spokesmen are appearing in seek to tell Western audiences that simply, instant global communications the U.S. media as advocates for the the "new" Soviet Union is not much are breaking down rigidities and policies of their government. This different from the West. This has isolation, and public opinion is development, while recent in the U.S., special implications in Western increasingly influential in shaping has been underway in Western Europe, where if successful it foreign policy." Europe for some time, and Soviet promotes neutralism (and This report will focus on three "commentators" have achieved a detachment from the U.S.) by themes: 1) the role of Soviet fairly respectable status with Western suggesting to Europeans they are journalists and other state represen- European audiences. U.S. attention caught between two identical tatives in advocating Soviet goals; 2) to this phenomenon has been superpowers, rather than one which the virtually unlimited access that attracted by a new generation of wishes to defend their democratic Soviet advocates and journalists Soviet journalist-advocates fl uent in freedoms and the other which would have to the U.S. system, and the lack English, such as Radio Moscow seek to dominate them. In the U.S., of corresponding access in the USSR the Soviet intent is to undermine by the U.S.; and 3) how reciprocity popular support for defense could be extended. In light of recent I Nationaljournal, 12/14/85, p. 286\. Soviet progress in public diplomacy, 2 NationalJournal. 12114/85. p. 2861

5 Geneva Summit, the U.S. side enhancement policies and to Communist Party members. Many proposed language calling for six strengthen the peace movement. leading Soviet editors and directors television appearances each by Although Soviet advocates seek are full or candidate members of the Soviet and U.S. officials on the other most often to use television to shape CPSUCentral Committee. Although country's TV screens, but the U.S. public opinion, they also author this does not necessarily reflect proposition got nowhere. The Soviets guest editorials; they write letters to heartfelt ideological zeal, it does mean will consider such appearances on a the editor; if they are articulate they a rigid conformity to Party views as a case-by-case basis only. The are sought out for newspaper or means to career advancement, which Commission recommends that at the magazine interviews; and failing all carries with it important perquisites: next U.S.-Soviet summit, and in the of the above, they can take out full- foreign imports, state-provided next round of educational and page advertisements in papers like dachas, foreign travel and the best cultural exchanges negotiations, the The New York Times. None of these schools for their offspring. They are United States should press for access avenues is routinely open to U.S. expected to adhere to well-known to the Soviet media for official U.S. spokesmen in the USSR,of course. standards of "Party-mindedness." spokesmen, both through a general During the last two years there have Americans may be surprised to agreement for binational exchanges of been dozens of such Soviet learn that the Soviet journalists and such appearances, and through appearances in the U.S. media.' spokesmen they see on U.S. tele- greater openness to case-by-case Thesejournalists and spokesmen are 'Vision are so tightly integrated into uncritical of their government on the Communist Party leadership ·proposals. substantive policy matters. There has structure. Novelist Yulian 'Sernyonov, been some recent superficial whom Marvin Kalb hosted on a criticism of Soviet policies, particularly November 17, 1985 NBC"Meet the THE NATURE OF by Vladimir Pozner (in his "personal Press," also reportedly served as view" the USSRshould allow Jews and ghostwriter for his father-in-law S.K. SOVIET JOURNALISM others to emigrate so long as they Tsvigun, who was First Deputy AND INtORMATION are not "security risks," etc.) which Chairman of the KGBfrom 1967-19824 Additionally, Gennadii Gerasimov, STATE OWNERSHIP/ seems to be intended to enhance his IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS credibility with skeptical American who, when Editor-in-Chief of Moscow audiences. Other non-journalist News appeared as a guest commen- oviet journalists are Soviet officials have had no trouble tator on ABC"World News Tonight" employed in a nominal sense achieving easy access to U.S. media, (I II 18/85), has also served a two-year by thousands of organizations, ranging from Mikhail Gorbachev stint on the Communist Party Central S ranging from well-known ones like himself in his famous pre-summit Committee. He is now chief of the Tass (the international Soviet Time magazine interview, to Soviet Information Department of the Government wire service), Novosti cardiologist Yevgeniy Chazov, a full Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Soviet (the Soviet international feature member of the CPSUCentral diplomat defector Arkady Shevchenko service), Pravda (the daily newspaper Committee, 1985 Nobel Peace Prize charged that Mr. Gerasimov is a KGB of the Comm unist Party of the Soviet Winner, and co-chairman of the agent. Significantly, none of these Union), and Izvestia (the Soviet International Physicians for the government-party affiliations were Government daily newspaper), to Prevention of Nuclear War. Soviet mentioned to American television lesser publications in trade and spokesmen also engage in public viewers. professional fields. But Soviet speaking at U.S. universities and U.S. spokesmen and journalists journalists are all employees of the other fora. have no parallel access to Soviet Soviet state. All press organs fall American television viewers are media. Soviet officials reply that under the policy guidance of the usually unaware of the official and Soviet spokesmen appearing on U.S. Communist Party of the Soviet Union party links of the individuals who are television are sought out by the U.S. (CPSU),the single "legal" political introduced by their apparent networks, not vice versa, so if Soviet party. Supervision of the media begins profession, such as "commentator" media choose not to invite American at the highest levels of the CPSU Vladimir Pozner or "concerned spokesmen, that is their right. Central Committee on which sit physician" Chazov. American Furthermore, coming from the U.S. editors and directors of all the major audiences are ill-served by the fact with its tradition of an adversarial Soviet media organs. It ranges down to that U.S. television anchors and press, few U.S.journalists would the editorial and working level of all reporters are not Sovietologists and wish to appear in the Soviet media as Soviet publications. And within the seem less aggressive in pursuing advocates for U.S. policies or values, media organs themselves, each layer misstatements, distortions, or since they see their role as narrow and of production is further infused falsehoods by Soviet advocates than specific: that of newsgatherers alone. they are with American officials, Some U.S."journalists" do appear in "} USIA's Research Division undertook a survey covering {he whose every statement is closely Soviet media, but either they are from period 1983-85; see Appendix B. scrutinized. such publications as the U.S.Commu- 4 TV Guide. 4/26/86. p. 3. Soviet journalists in the "front nist Party People's World or they are line" of the ideological struggle mainstream American journalists with capitalism are virtually all opposed to specific U.S.policies. During negotiations for the Cultural Agreement signed at the

6 with ideological supervision, for More recently, Egor Ligachev, purpose of journalism is to "give the each has its own Communist Party the second most powerful Communist public as much information as cells which further shape the product. Party leader after General Secretary possible" about a subject. Gorbachev who has oversight over propaganda and information, said NO PRESS FREEDOM "All television and radio programs must SIGNS OF SOVIET CHANGE be subordinated to one aim- tate ownership of media explaining and implementing uring the past year, some outlets does not necessarily [Communist] Party policy." 6 Westerners have been heart- mean the media will be the Dened by calls for a new S spirit of glasnost' (candor, openness, mouthpiece of government in societies where freedom of speech DIFFERING U.S. AND SOVIET publicity) by General Secretary and the press is constitutionally and MEDIA ROLES Gorbachev. The Chernobyl nuclear traditionally respected (the BBC, for disaster has shown the uncertainty example). In the case of the Soviet he differing roles of U.S. and and unevenness with which the "new Union, however, where the concept Soviet journalists were openness" is being implemented. of an independent press does not exist T recently discussed at the First Soviet official and journalistic either in practice or in law, New York University Center for War, reactions to the disaster were journalists are required to advocate Peace, and the News Media, which tradltional. They tried to suppress the policies decided by higher party brought Soviet officials and journalists story to avoid international authorities, and be supportive of together with U.S. and European embarrassment, then to divert blame Marxist-Leninist theory, incl uding journalists and editors. The group and hide behind stale accounts of belief in the class struggle and the quickly demonstrated how different the U.S. Three Mile Island accident; inevitable victory of communism are Soviet and Western media. they accused the Western press of over capitalism. Article 25 of the Participants quickly discovered the using the accident as a pretext for Soviet Constitution guarantees essential incompatibility of the two "whipping up anti-Soviet hysteria," freedom of the press only to the systems. NBC News President and domestically, suppressed the extent that it is used "in conformity Lawrence Grossman noted that U.S. news to "prevent panic." with the interests of the working and Soviet "definitions" of Yet there followed domestic people, and in order to strengthen the journalism are different. He said that Soviet coverage of Chernobyl that was socialist system." Whereas a Western the Soviet press is the "spokesman unprecedented for a state that journalist strives towards objectivity, for the government," and that it is traditionally hides natural and man- and tries to describe reality in all its "impossible" to get at the truth when made disasters. That a post- ambiguity and complexity, the Soviet government controls the press. The Chernobyl press conference was given journalist consciously seeks, through Soviet participants, on the other at all, no matter how restricted, and the selective use of information of hand, looked upon journalists as that the General Secretary gave a varying degrees of truthfulness, to activists. Journalists should televised speech on the matter, no manipulate the reader into support "strengthen the spirit of Geneva" and matter how delayed and incomplete, of policies or objectives decided by a "create a climate of trust so summits showed that worldwide information higher authority: the Communist can succeed" (Leonid Kravchenko, trends are having an impact on Soviet Party. First Deputy Chairman of society. E. P. Prokhorov says of Soviet Gosteleradio, the Soviet State There are other signs of change. journalism, "The Marxist-Leninist Committee for Television and The USSRis experimenting with new theory of journalism proceeds upon the Radio). They should show their "Nightline-style and audience- premise that a truly objective picture of readers how "the creation of nuclear response programs, which do allow reality that can give reliable social weapons has betrayed our world" for some criticism of domestic informationfor the masses ...can be (Alexander Bovin, commentator for matters. One program is a journalist provided only by ajournalism that Izvestia and Gosteleradio). They roundtable that permits occasional adheres to a communist party point of should "stop fanning the flames of differing viewpoints. The other is a view ...Under the leadership of the 'Star Wars' " (Mikhail Bruk, Special call-in program resembling a much- communist and workers' parties, Correspondent for Novosti). They are publicized program in Hungary that Marxist journalism carries on propa- "like tailors ... they can embellish a takes officials to task for ganda, agitation, and organizational man, or make him uglier" (Vladimir bureaucratic failures. Sovietjournalist activity corresponding to the funda- Molchanov, Special Correspondent for "raiders" (given a higher Party level mental interests of the working Novosti). go-ahead) sometimes descend on people ... " 5 Participating U.S.journalists institutions and organizations refused to assume any such role. As seeking to rectify mismanagement. David Ignatius, Associate Editor of Soviet publications carry "Letters to The Washington Post said, "Our role is the Editor" from Soviet citizens not to control or shape opinion; it is complaining about specific domestic simply to inform." Or in the words of problems. While this avenue has long Gerd Ruge, Editor-in-Chief of West- been off-limits to U.S. spokesmen

deutscher Rundfunk (the West 5 Great Soviet Encyclopedia, Third Edition, p. 298. German Television Network), the 6 US. News and World Report. 6/9/86. p. 35

7 in Moscow, in early June, Pravda of the Voice of America carrying To defuse Chernobyl criticism, carried a letter from U.S. Charge President Reagan's pre-summit commentaries were run on alleged Richard E. Combs, Jr. criticizing the speech to the Soviet people were not risks of continued U.S. nuclear Soviet reprinting of unverified charges jammed, do indicate at least some testing in Nevada. that the CIA had been involved in the liberalization of information. Appearances by Americans are bombing of the West Berlin One cannot underrate the not unknown in the Soviet media. discotheque earlier this year. To be impact of Western broadcasts to the However, these individuals, ranging sure, Pravda followed the text of the USSR,such as Voice of America and from American radicals like Angela letter with a vigorous anti-U.S. Radio Liberty, in compelling a new Davis to well-known Americans like rebuttal. Two weeks earlier Pravda Soviet openness. Chernobyl is only Dr. Billy Graham to tourists had carried another letter from a the most recent demonstration of this interviewed on the streets of West German diplomat. The Soviet influence. Soviet exiles Vladimir Moscow, are always quoted either to Government uses this means of Solovyov and Elena Klepikova claim condemn some aspect of the United advocacy in the U.S. quite routinely, that not only do many Soviet citizens States or its policies, or to espouse whether it be in The New York Times depend on Western broadcasts to find positions in tune with Soviet or The Washington Post, or any other out the truth; so too does the Soviet positions. American criticism of organ it chooses. elite. According to Solovyov, the aspects of Soviet society or of Soviet The press conference is another Moscow suburb of Zavidovo, where Government policies or institutions recent Soviet innovation. Whereas many officials maintain dachas, is not never appears in the Soviet press. Soviet press conferences usually rely jammed so the leadership can keep' Soviet coverage of the U.S. has been on written questions and frequently abreast of world affairs, and even of no more favorable since the Geneva do not take questions from foreign political events within the USSRthat Summit than before, according to journalists, nonetheless they are not are not reported.' USIA officials who monitor Soviet absolutely controllable, especially in pronouncements. The only change has been a diminution of personal foreign settings. Soviet viewers saw SOVIET COVERAGE OF THE French journalists asking General attacks on President Reagan. But Secretary Gorbachev taboo questions U.S. rhetoric and invective against the about political prisoners in the USSR U.S.by such organs as Radio Moscow, during Gorbachev's pre-summit visit oviet journalists must write Tass and Pravda have been as to France. Former Foreign Ministry stories that support or confirm profuse and harsh as ever. To the spokesman Leonid Zamiatin was so officially-decreed Communist standard stable of anti-American PartySand Soviet Government charges has been added a new one: unsettled at a pre-summit press conference in Geneva by harsh perceptions of the U.S., its society and the United States with its assorted questions from a Soviet dissident- foreign policy. Almost without policies is "violating the Spirit of exile that he reflexively called for the exception, those decreed perceptions Geneva." "militia" to take her away. are negative. Soviet television is the most American policies executed by tightly-controlled medium, probably the "elite" are characterized as SOVIET JOURNALISTS because it is the most influential "militaristic," "imperialistic," IN THE U.S. shaper of opinions and its two national "rapacious," "anti-democratic," networks are easy to control. Soviet "racist," "genocidal" and so on. Soviet print media is possibly less so. At articles and television features about oviet journalists are times new ideas, always sanctioned the U.S. are written both by writers presently located in by a Party authority, can be floated in in the USSRand correspondents SWashington, New York and print. Analysts are waiting to see assigned to the United States. Current San Francisco; by choice, U.S. whether glasnost' seeps into the Soviet media preoccupations journalists are resident only in sacrosanct coverage of foreign affairs, include the Strategic Defense Moscow. In Washington, Tass,Pravda, where any divergence from the Party Initiative (SOl) and arms control in Izvestia, and Soviet Radio and line is forbidden. For example, a Radio general, the summit process, the Television (Gosteleradio) are Moscow announcer who earlier this plight of the U.S. homeless and represented by 12 correspondents. decade called the Soviet action in ethnic minorities, and U.S. In New York, six reporters represent Afghanistan an "invasion" was "militarism" in Central America and Izvestia, Komsomolskaya Pravda, summarily removed and sent away for Libya. Many of the topics are gleaned Literaturnaia Gazeta, Moscow News, psychiatric observation. Surprisingly, from domestic American news New Times, and Novosti. Tass has two Pravda complained in a May sources. But Soviet reporters are not correspondents in San Francisco. commentary that "Information about above fabricating or embellishing Washington-based Soviet the capitalist world is monotonous ... stories that criticize the United States. reporters, as might be expected, are journalistic cliches migrate from Soviet media have depicted primarily interested in politico- military issues. New York coverage broadcast to broadcast." 7 And American Indian activist and finally, the pre-summit interview with convicted murderer Leonard Peltier tends to be more cultural, with focus President Reagan in Izvestia last year, as an American "political prisoner." on "Americana." Science and the President's New Year's Day technology are also of interest,

appearance on Soviet television, and 7 us. News and World Report. 6/9/86. p. 36. the fact that several frequencies 8 Christian Science Moniter, 6/\9/86, p. 15.

8 whereas economics get surprisingly security assistance to Israel. They Having Soviet journalists in the little coverage. can read our technical and specialized U.S. is also an educational experience The numbers of Soviet reporters journals. They can simply pick up for the Soviets, exposing them to in the u.s. are held to specific limits the phone and request an interview ideas and experiences they would by the Department of State through with anyone they wish. They are the not have otherwise. For the younger issuance of visas to correspond to beneficiaries of a free and open ones, the experience of being in an limits set by Soviet authorities on society. If a Soviet correspondent open, democratic society can certainly U.S.journalists entering the USSR. wishes to find credible and factual not be underrated, nor can the Similar limits are not imposed on critiques of current U.S. Government opportunity to measure for reporters from other Soviet bloc policy in fields like foreign affairs or themselves the divergence between countries or Cuba, however. Soviet defense, he or she need go no further the reality of the U.S. and what they journalists must request permission than any of the thousands of U.S. have been told about the U.S. by the from the State Department to travel publications that, exercising their Soviet Government. more than 25 miles from the center of freedom of speech, deal with those their city of residence only because issues. He can simply quote from the USSRhas imposed those same insightful editorials in mainstream or U.S.IOURNALISTS limits on American reporters. The partisan U.S. publications. This is a U.S. Embassy in Moscow is advised if common Soviet journalistic IN THE USSR a Soviet journalist req uests to cover a technique, a skillful use of the story beyond those limits, and if it openness of U.S. society to condemn S.journalists in the Soviet approves, the request is granted. U.S. society. ..u-..Union confront the omni- That instance is then used by the U.S. Soviet journalists also have potent state at every turn. Embassy in Moscow to request access to such unprecedented tools as Aside from travel restrictions, there similar treatment for U.S.journalists the Freedom of Information Act are other tools of harassment if they by Soviet authorities. (FOIA) which can provide them with step out of line, from the withholding The principle of numerical and unclassified details of U.S. Govern- of access to expulsion to, as in the geographical reciprocity is closely ment operations. This law has no Daniloff case, spurious charges of followed. The U.S. Embassy in parallel in the USSR,nor even in many espionage. Topics such as military Moscow closely tracks the treatment Western democracies. There are no matters are taboo; others such as of U.S.journalists in the USSR.When data presently available to show how political machinations among the U.S.journalists are harassed or their heavily FOIA is actually used by Party leadership must be divined by rights abridged, the U.S. Government Soviet journalists or third parties analyzing seating arrangements at may retaliate against Soviet working on their behalf. public ceremonies. The American journalists based in the U.S. But all U.S. officials are not agreed journalist is further challenged by too often, the U.S. media organization whether the presence of Soviet the fact that very few Soviet citizens whose representative was attacked journalists, with such dubious roles will risk losing whatever privileges by Soviet authorities may urge the and orientations, is a net loss or gain they may have by speaking forth- U.S. Government not to retaliate for for the United States. The downside rightly about sensitive matters, fear of jeopardizing its own access in is obvious. But there is another side. particularly to an American reporter. Moscow and falling behind its Some USIA officials believe having Whether they be scientists, govern- American competitors. In Soviet journalists in the U.S. foreign ment officials or factory workers, any Washington, Soviet journalists find press corps exposes some of the best Soviet citizen knows criticism of his or themselves in the heart of what is non-Soviet bloc young foreign her society to a foreign journalist probably the most open world journalists to the Soviets early on, could result in loss of Party member- capital in terms of information, and shows how they work. They point ship, loss of job and privileges, loss especially on sensitive subjects like to the Tass correspondent who of access by his or her children to defense, foreign policy and politics. covered the 1984 Los Angeles educational opportunities and While American journalists in Olympics. The Tass reporter, employment, possible commitment to Moscow contend with nearly following ideological guidance from psychiatric care, and even criminal inaccessible officialdom as well as Moscow (which of course boycotted charges. Those willing to speak forth- all the other limitations of a closed the Olympics), wrote lengthy and rightly are those who have nothing to society, Soviet journalists in turgid polemics about alleged lose, such as dissidents and refuseniks. Washington are flooded with snafus in the Gamesand the "dangers" American reporters have little hope information. They have White of Los Angeles. Biased and of gleaning objective insights into House, State Department and inaccurate, they became a comic Soviet society by following the totally Congressional press passes. They relief to the foreign press corps controlled Soviet press; the can attend the twice-daily White covering the Olympics. "It was," underground samizdat press is an House briefings, the daily noon remarked an American observer on alternative, but its clandestine and briefing at the State Department or a the scene, "as if he were reporting sporadic nature limits its usefulness. weekly briefing at the USIA Foreign other games in another city." American news organizations Press Center. They can attend open covering the USSRare placed at a Congressional hearings on any issue, further disadvantage vis-a-vis the including the Strategic Defense Soviet Government by the intramural Initiative, the B-1 bomber or competition. Network ratings

9 - -~----~~ .------

policy for VOA cannot yet be depend in part on "scoops" and determined. VOA officials seek to have "exclusives" which in the USSRalmost VOICE OF AMERICA a protest made each time a VOA visa invariably originate from an official request is turned down; the State source. This makes it important for (yOA) REPORTERS Department determines how best to individual U.S. media organizations IN THE USSR lodge this protest. State Department to stay on the good side of Soviet control over visas for SovietCommunist officialdom, and consequently they he Voice of America has had Party members has been sharply are reluctant to urge the U.S. a particularly difficult time in curtailed by the McGovernAmendment Government to seek a hard tit-for-tat to the Immigration and Naturalization recent years getting accredited Act which makes U.S. Government in maintaining reciprocity. VOATNews Division and language American journalists in the action against Soviet spokesmen (as service correspondents into the Soviet USSRalso face a normal impediment opposed to resident correspondents) Union. (There are no Radio Moscow that faces all foreign correspondents: more difficult. This legislation correspondents permanently stationed working with a foreign language. requires visa denials for Soviet (and in the U.S., but Radio Moscow is part Many~particularly U.S. television all other non-l.l.S, Communist Party of Gosteleradio, which has four U.S.- correspondents-do not speak members) to be based on national based correspondents.) The BBChas Russian because their tenure in long maintained a bureau in MoscoW, security grounds alone. Moscow is limited and preparation tor Ironically, another obstacle but apparently the United States has' the assignment is often not as facing VOA correspondents exists here never pursued opening a VOAbureau rigorous or as long as the training of in the United States. The Standing there. The Commission believes the print journalists. Those Americans Committee of Correspondents in the U.S. Government should consider who don't speak Russian must rely on U.S. Congress is currently pressuring seeking to open such a bureau. its members not to accept honoraria interpreters supplied by the Soviet Although there has never been a Government, whose presence will for appearing as moderators or as permanent VOA bureau in MoscoW, certainly inhibit statements by participants on VOA and USIA's VOA officials say that in \973- \ 978 interviewees. Additionally, American WORLDNET satellite TV programs. Soviet visas for traveling VOA correspondents are usually assigned This narrow-minded approach correspondents were more easily housing in a compound reserved for is especially perplexing to this obtained. During this period there was foreigners, so they will be further Commission, which campaigned no jamming of VOA signals into the isolated from Soviet citizens. Newly- USSR.But by \980, with the deterior- successfully to have VOA corre- arrived journalists, and veterans for spondents accredited to cover the ation in relations brought on by the that matter, may find it difficult to U.S. Congress, an accreditation that invasion of Afghanistan, visa requests break out of the limits of press came many years too late. It is were turned down routinely. VOA likewise puzzling in view of the VOA conferences and requests for correspondents were given accredita- interviews that must be cleared by Charter, signed into law in 1976, tion for the \980 Olympics, but no the relevant organization with whom which says, "VOA will serve as a visas were issued in time to cover the the prospective interviewee is consistently reliable and event. authoritative source of news. VOA affiliated. In \986, some News Division According to a journalist who news will be accurate, objective, and correspondents have been able to get served in Moscow. U.S. reporters comprehensive. VOA will represent visas for "familiarization visits" but normally go through several phases America, not any single segment of not for journalistic assignments to the during their Moscow tenure. Upon American society, and will therefore USSR.Others have been admitted, arrival, they are generally well- but only when accompanying a U.S. present a balanced and treated, and are granted high-level cabinet-level official (Vice President comprehensive projection of interviews, but as time passes, the significant American thought and Bush, Secretary of State Shultz, journalist's access diminishes, Agriculture Secretary Block) on visits institutions." Unfortunately, the fact that particularly as the Soviet to the USSR.Turndown for coverage of Government becomes aware of the some U.S.journalists and media the Comm unist Party congresses unfavorable stories. Outgoing organizations perceive VOA and by appears to be longstanding, and was stories, be it noted, are not censored extension USIA'sWireless File and by the Soviet Government. In the repeated in \986. WORLDNET Service, to be tainted by Following State Department its government ownership has final months in the USSRthe pressure, the Soviets approved visa American journalist, if he or she has been hypocritically exploited by the requests by one VOA News Division been perceived as obstreperous, runs Soviet Government. This happened in and three language service (Russian, the risks of being entrapped in a late April 1986,when the Soviet Czechoslovak, Arabic) correspond- contrived illegal situation such as Embassy in Washington excluded ents to cover the 1986Goodwill public drunkenness, an alleged several USIA reporters from a press Games,organized in large part by U.S. black market transaction or being conference on those grounds. On the media executive Ted Turner. The smeared in the local press, which occasion it is satisfactory to note, the Soviets subsequently approved a visa could serve as the pretext for his Washington press corps did protest request for one VOA Russian language expulsion if that is the way Soviet Soviet high-handedness. service reporter to cover the authorities want to play it. Tchaikovsky Competition. Whether this representsa liberalization of entry

10

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CSCE FINAL ACT, 1975

"... examine in afavourable spirit and The Soviet Union, together with the u... encourage the wider showing and broadcasting of a greater variety of within a suitable and reasonable time other signatory nations of the CSCE scale requests from journalists for (Helsinki Accords), is specifically recorded and filmed informationfrom the other participating States, visas" (Part 2, section c); obliged to: illustrating the various aspects of life in their countries ... "(Part 2, section a, "... grant to permanently accredited "... facilitate the dissemination of oral .• .., journalists of the participating para. 111); information through the encouragement states ...multiple entry and exit visas of lectures and lecture tours by u•.• note the expansion in the .. for specified periods" (Part 2, section c); personalities and specialists from the dissemination of information broadcast other participating States, as well as "... ease, on a basis of reciprocity, exchanges of opinions at round table by radio, and express the hope for the continuation of this process" (Part 2, procedures for arranging travel by meetings, seminars, symposia, summer journalists of the participating States section a, para. iii), schools, congresses and other bilateral in the country where they are exercising and multilateral meetings" (part 2, "...favor cooperation among public or their profession, and to provide section a, para. i); private, national or international radio progressively greater opportunities for such travel.:" (Part 2, section c); "... facilitate the improvement of the and television organizations, in dissemination, on their territory, of particular through the exchange of both live and recorded radio and television "...reaffirm that the legitimate pursuit newspapers and printed publications, of their professional activity will neither programmes, and through the joint periodical and non-periodical, from the render journalists liable to expulsion other participating States" (Part 2, production and the broadcasting and distribution of such programmes" (Part nor otherwise penalize them. If an section a, para. ii); accredited journalist is expelled, he will 2, section b); be informed of the reasons for this act "... improve the possibilities for and may submit an application for acquaintance with bulletins of official "... view favorably the possibilities of arrangements between periodical re-examination of his case" (Part 2, information issued by diplomatic section c) missions and distributed by those publications as well as between news- missions ... "(Part 2, section a, para. ii); papers from the participating States, for the purpose of exchanging and publishing articles" (Part 2, section b);

12 -----~" ---

II• TABLE 1

TOTAL SIGNIFICANT U.S.·SOVIET OFFICIAL APPEARANCES IN OPPOSITE·COUNTRY PRINT MEDIA, 1984·85*

Soviets in the American Press, October 1984 - September 1985

VVashington Post , 109 New York Times 80 . - Christian Science Monitor • 15 Time , _7

Totals 211

Americans in the Soviet Press, September 1984 - August 1985 ------Pravda 8 Izvestia 13 Trud 26 Literaturnaia Gazeta 20

Totals 67

*Explanation of USIA Methodology: 1) an "appearance" comprised "an article, an interview, a letter to the editor. an 'op-ed' piece. or a paid advertisement;" 2) "appearances" had to be at least four column inches in length; 3) for purposes of qualitative analysis, four publications from each country were deemed "representative examples of each country's press;" and 4) articles on all subjects, rather than overtly "political" subjects were included, since in the Soviet context it was "often difficult, if not impossible, to draw the line" berween the rwo.

Source. u.s. Information Agency. Office of Research. October 16. 1985

13 -- -- [I -- TABLE 2

SURVEY OF SIGNIFICANT SOVIET OFFICIAL APPEARANCES ON U.S. NETWORKS, 1983·85

Number of Appearances on Networks Total Number Name and Position of Appearances *ABC CBS NBC CNN PBS , Alekseev, Vladimir .. 1 Novosti journalist 1

Dobrynin, Anatolii F. 2 Ambassador to U.s. I 1

Karpov, Viktor 2 Chief Arms Negotiator 1 1

Arbatov, Georgii A. 3 12 Director. U.S.A. Institute 3 3 3

Gromyko, Andrei A. 2 2 Former Foreign Minister

Bogachev, Vladimir 1 Tass 1

Afanas'ev, Viktor G. 2 Pravda 2

Vasil'ev, Gennadii 2 Pravda 2

Larionova, Natasha 2 Pravda 2

Palladin, Aleksandr 3 Izvestia 3

Ovinnikov, Richard 4 Deputy Representative to the U.N. I 3

Shalnev, Aleksandr 1 Tass I

Adamov, Joseph 14 Radio Moscow 3 1 10

Gerasimov, Gennadii Soviet TV anchorman 8 Deputy Chairman, Novosti 6 2

14 TABLE 2 (continued) ------Total Number Name and Position ABC CBS NBC CNN PBS of Appearances Zamiatin. Leonid M. Chief. CPSU International Information Department 4 2 7 Mil'shtein, Mikhail Soviet General (Retired) U.S.A. Institute 3 Gramov, Marat Chairman, Sports Committee 2 Kulagin, Vladimir M. Soviet Diplomat in U.S.

Linnik, Viktor , CPSU CC Consultant, Pravda I ,

Gvishiani, Dzhermen Deputy Chairman, State Committee for Science and Technology

Isakov, Viktor Soviet Diplomat in U.S.

Manakov, Anatolii Journalist

Kornienko, Georgii Deputy Foreign Minister 2 4 Pozner. Vladimir Radio Moscow 15 3 2 21 Troianovskii, Oleg Soviet Ambassador to the U.N. 2 2 Ogarkov, Nikolai Former Chief of Staff of Soviet Armed Forces 2 2 4 Crigor'ev. Aleksandr Soviet Peace Commission

Trofimenko, Genrikh U.S.A. Institute

Menshikov, Stanislav CPSU International Department 4 2 2 8 Kochetkov, Evgenii Soviet Diplomat in U.S.

Yushkiavichius, Genrikh Vice-Chairman, Gosteleradio

15 TABLE 2 (continued)

Total Number Name and Position ABC CBS NBC CNN PBS of Appearances

Setunskii, Nikolai N.Y. Bureau Chief, Tass 2 2

Kobysh, Vitaly Section Chief, CPSU International Information Department 2 4

Zarubina, Zoia Soviet Women's Committee 2

Kapitsa, Sergei Scientist, TV show host 3

Kukushkin, Vsevolod Soviet sports commentator 2

Liutyi, Aleksandr Tass

Beglov, Mikhail Tass 3 3

Kelis-Berok, Vladimir Seismologist

Sagdeev, Roald Director, Space Research Institute Moscow

Kuzin. Mikhail I. Director, Moscow Surgery Institute

Velikhov, Evgenii P. Vice-President, Soviet Academy of Sciences

Il'in, Leonid A. Director, Biophysics Institute

TOTAL 138

* ABC appearances cover 1981-85

Source: U.S. Information Agency, April 4, 1986

16 For additional information. please write: United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy Room 600 30 14th SI . S W Washington ') C. 20547 Bruce Gregory. Staff Director Michael Morgan. Deputy Staff Director (202) 485-24'>7